Welcome to the world... wide web

World, meet Graham. Graham, meet the world (wide web).

Throughout the last 9 months I am constantly reminded of how amazing technology has become in the world today. Fetal monitors, ultrasounds, wireless maternity wards, and automated systems to track the medication and vitals for mother and child all help turn dads from nervous outsiders into active participants. I for one was very skeptical of this process and wasn't really looking forward to being there for *everything*. There were 2 primary reasons for this.

First, I don't like seeing medical procedures. I can give blood (I played rugby afterall, I'm very learned in the art of bloodgiving) with no problem at all, but I can't see a needle being stuck in my arm. I don't watch medical shows, and I wince in movies when they begin to cut into someone (which explains why I've never been into thrasher horror movies).

Second, I can be someone of a control freak. Now I know that this may be a shocking revelation to many of you who know me, but I'm not comfortable with situations that leave me standing there like some slack-jawed troglodyte waiting for others to provide all direction. I like to know the plan and be apart of what is going on. To quote Ack Ack's father from 'One Crazy Summer', "You've got no direction in your lives, no plan. When there's no plan, there's no attack. No attack, no victory."

Now with all of the technology available, Dad's can be apart of the process without being apart of the pain. (I guess letting Eve take the first bite really worked out in our favor, huh?) I could watch the fetal monitor and see when her contractions were beginning. Instead of asking, "are you ok, honey?" to hear a litany of sailor-like responses I could ask her to take a deep breath and get her ready for the next round of mini-hell. What a world of difference that makes.

Now looking forward, I cannot imagine the technology Graham will grow up experiencing. I wonder how he will look back at my life and think, "How did the world function back then?" I remember party phone lines, arguing about who would get up to change the channel on the console tv, only 4 channels of programming, and life before computers, cell phones, email, and the world wide web. Will Graham someday think back to having to lug around 5 lb laptops like I remember early bag phones for cars? Will he be amazed that I have about 7 email addresses, a home, cell, and work phone with separate numbers and voicemail systems? Will he wonder at how foolish we are to have a TV separate from a computer separate from the satallite dish, separate from the DVD player separate from the stereo versus a single home entertainment system that immediately accesses requested songs, movies, shows, or people (video calls) on any LCD in the house?

I think old Bard said it best,

"O wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beautious mankind is!
O brave new world,
That has such people in't!"

- The Tempest, Act V, Scene 1

Good luck baby Graham... I think we're all going to need it.